While lightweights Nate Diaz and Jim Miller are taking the headlining slot at May’s UFC on FOX 3 event, they weren’t necessarily the most outspoken fighters at today’s event-launch presser.

Instead, it was welterweights Johny Hendricks (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Josh Koscheck (17-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) that seemed to host the most pointed barbs, and both seemed confident that victory soon awaits.

But while Hendricks feels his on the way up, Koscheck made it clear he’s not signed up to put anyone over on national TV.

“The whole goal of fighting, to me, is to get the belt,” Hendricks said. “Nothing else matters. Second place, third place – none of that matters. Whoever holds the belt is somebody, and that’s all I care about.

“The pressure of winning this fight? I’ve got to win every fight to get to where I want. I see it as just another stepping stone.”

Hendricks fought most recently in December, where he dispatched of Koscheck’s longtime teammate Jon Fitch with impressive ease, using just 12 seconds of cagetime to notch the knockout win. It was Hendricks’ third-straight win and brought his octagon record to 7-1. More importantly, it provided a signature win to launch him into the contendership discussion.

However, Koscheck quickly made it clear he didn’t intend on helping his opponent progress any further up the ladder.

“For the record, kid, I’m not a stepping stone,” Koscheck said to Hendricks. “I see this fight as a big opportunity for me to make that run again. Johny Hendricks isn’t going to win this fight.”

Koscheck returns to action after earning a narrow decision win over Mike Pierce at February’s UFC 143 event. Koscheck admitted after the bout that the matchup never really excited him, and he had trouble finding motivation for the contest.

While still early in the preparation for UFC on FOX 3, Koscheck said he’s having no such difficulty this time around.

“This fight excites me,” Koscheck said. “It’s kind of like the pride of wrestling. This guy is a couple-time national wrestling champion. I can respect that because I know how tough it is to win the NCAA title.

“I think this fight definitely excites me.”

Koscheck, who recently left his longtime home at American Kickboxing Academy in favor of setting up his own gym in Fresno, Calif., said the change of scenery has provided him with a new-found drive and motivation.

“I’ve got a lot of good training partners there for me, and I’m excited about this fight,” Koscheck said. “For the first time in three years, I’ve actually got a mitt-holder and someone teaching me boxing. I’ve got one-on-one jiu-jitsu classes. I’ve got a great wrestling coach in Alan Fried, an Oklahoma State guy – probably one of the best wrestlers to ever come out of Oklahoma State. I think that things are looking up for me.”

The matchup features two accomplished wrestlers, though Hendricks clearly has the more decorated amateur career. But both contenders have also showed a penchant for striking, throwing heavy hands with nasty intentions. Hendricks’ 12-second knockout of Fitch was proof-positive to many that he’s developed a real finishing ability, but Koscheck wasn’t nearly as impressed.

“The fight didn’t last that long, so you really couldn’t judge how good he is,” Koscheck said. “I watched the fight, and he looked like he threw a lucky punch with his eyes closed, and it landed. So, yeah.”

Hendricks understandably disagreed.

“If you really watch it, watch where my eyes are and watch where that punch lands,” Hendricks said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.

“My eyes were watching the punch. He tried to throw a jab to stop it, but my left hand is a little more powerful than a jab, so I’ll take that any day. I will take that any day.”

The evening’s main event between Nate Diaz and Jim Miller has already been deemed a No. 1 contender fight, with the winner earning a future shot at the 155-pound title. But the Hendricks vs. Koscheck fight could have equal importance in the 170-pound division.

Koscheck has already challenged for the title once before, and he’s 0-2 in his career against current champ Georges St-Pierre. But with Carlos Condit holding the division’s interim title, Kosheck’s name could very well end up alongside Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann as top contenders.

A re-energized Koscheck, whose lone loss in his past six fights is to St-Pierre, certainly hopes that’s the case.

“I feel like I got a new life,” Koscheck said. “The last month of training since my last fight has been great. I feel like I’m in a great place, and I’m really focused right now.

“I’m excited for May 5. I can guarantee you’re going to see the best Josh Koscheck you’ve ever seen. I’m looking forward to it.”

And Hendricks could be in an even more enviable position. He’s a fresh face at the top of the weightclass, and a win could prove career-altering.

“To get to fight Jon Fitch, how exciting is that?” Hendricks asked. “The No. 2 ranked guy in the world? You’d be silly not to be excited and happy to have that fight. Now I’ve got Josh Koscheck. That’s another exciting fight for me. No matter what happens, I’m excited. I can’t wait to put on a great show for the fans.

“My last fight doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. Just get better and put on a good fight for you guys.”

UFC on FOX 3 takes place May 5 at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The evening’s main cards airs on FOX.

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